For Extract Data it doesn’t look like I can use a PUMA # as a filter when I try to Extract Cases. I have to extract data for an entire metro area or state when I just need data for an individual PUMA. Is that right, and if so why? Thanks.
You’re correct that it’s not possible to use the select cases tool to filter by PUMA. We have focused on offering variables that we think are the most useful as filters; there are two main challenges with filtering by PUMA:
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PUMA must be used in conjunction with a State code (STATEFIP or STATEICP) since PUMA codes repeat across states.
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PUMA codes refer to different areas across time. Let me run through an example:
Minnesota PUMA code 600 refers to the area consisting of Chisago, Isanti, Pine, Mille Lacs, and Kanabec counties in ACS samples collected between 2012-2021. However, in ACS samples collected from 2022-onwards, a new vintage of PUMA codes is used where the same PUMA code instead refers to a completely different area consisting of Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties (you can verify this using our PUMA vintages map). If a user were to select the 2022 5-year ACS and had the option to request data only for Minnesota PUMA 600, they would obtain households surveyed in 2018-2021 in one area and households surveyed in 2022 from a different area.
Thank you very much, Ivan. Couple of thoughts (realizing that the added value might not be worth the hassle of doing these). For #1, couldn’t you create a new variable that joins the state FIP with the PUMA numbers - to get unique geographies. And should that be possible, for #2, only allow that variable to be used with 1 year samples. In part, I ask these questions to help me better understand the IPUMs data structure, though it would be helpful to just extract data for a single PUMA if that’s what I’m after.
Chip, thank you for your suggestion. I can see the value in being able to request data for a single PUMA. I’ve shared your suggestion with my colleagues as a feature to consider adding in the future.
And thank you, Ivan, for giving this filter your consideration. Hope it works out.